By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
"THE CONJURING: LAST RITES" IS A DARK, HAUNTING TALE
The end has come for "The Conjuring Universe," and while it doesn’t go out with a blood-curdling scream,
"The Conjuring: Last Rites"--the ninth and final installment in the long-running supernatural horror franchise--delivers a fittingly eerie and emotionally satisfying farewell.
The film brings the story of real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren to a close with more of a slow burn than a bang, offering resolution over relentless scares.
Directed by
Michael Chaves ("The Nun II") and co-produced/written by James Wan ("M3GAN 2.0"), "The Conjuring: Last Rites" is based on the true-life investigations of the Smurl haunting made by the Warrens through an original story co-authored by Wan and David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, ("Orphan 3").
Once again,
Patrick Wilson (TV's "Cape Fear") and Vera Farmiga ("The Nun II”) star as the Warrens. They have been anchoring the series since 2013.
"The Conjuring: Last Rites" is the sequel to "The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It" (2021) and it takes its time building suspense, perhaps too much time for die-hard horror fans hoping for early scares. However, the final act does deliver a chilling and well-crafted payoff. Until then, the tension simmers beneath the surface as the Warrens face another personal and spiritually taxing case.
The story, set in 1986, centers around the Warrens assisting the Smurl family in Pennsylvania. They have unknowingly purchased a unique but cracked antique mirror that harbors a dark and malevolent force. As the demonic entity trapped inside begins to infiltrate their home, the family is slowly torn apart by its sinister presence. Honestly, who buys a cracked mirror? Haven't they heard the superstition about seven years of bad luck?
At the same time, Ed and Lorraine are growing increasingly concerned about their daughter, Judy (Mia Tomlinson, "The Beast Must Die"), who is experiencing unsettling visions that she can't seem to shake. Yet, despite the disturbances, Judy is also excited about the future she is building with her fiance, Tony (Ben Hardy, "Love at First Sight"), a former police officer with a complicated past he would prefer to keep hidden, especially from her parents.
"The Conjuring: Last Rites" admirably ties together long-running storylines and pays respectful tribute to its central characters. That said, with a runtime of 135 minutes, it does occasionally test your patience.
One of the film's most poignant highlights comes during the end credits, which feature archival footage of the real Ed and Lorraine Warren. It's a subtle yet emotional tribute that reminds viewers that, beyond the ghosts and demons, "The Conjuring" series has always been rooted in the Warrens themselves, their unwavering faith and steadfast belief in the unseen.
Despite years of skepticism and public ridicule, their work left an undeniable mark. Over time, their legacy--particularly that of Lorraine Warren who passed away in 2019 at the age of 92--has profoundly influenced the modern portrayal of paranormal research, and especially scary movies.
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the
Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays at 5:17 p.m. and 6:47 p.m. on radio station
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Look At This Trailer For
"THE CONJURING: LAST RITES"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Critics Choice Association (CCA), American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards).
